Third Liverpool FC v Man United clash scheduled for week ahead

U21s will meet at Prenton Park on Friday - while semi-final of League Cup will take place next week

Cameron Brannagan of Liverpool is chased by Cy Goddard of Tottenham Hotspur during the Barclays U21 Premier League match at Lookers Vauxhall Stadium on January 25, 2016 in Chester, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)

Liverpool and Manchester United are already scheduled for two huge clashes in the next 10 days with the two-legged Europa League tie representing the first time the two English giants have met in Europe.

Proceedings get underway at Anfield on Thursday with a return date at Old Trafford on St Patrick’s Day a week later set to decide who grabs the quarter final place up for grabs.

But young players have been a big positive for both teams this season and the U21s sides will meet at Tranmere’s Prenton Park this Friday with kick-off at 7pm.

The United U21s are currently top of the table and looking well placed to follow up their win in last year’s competition while a slow start has left Michael Beale’s young Reds down in 8th position in the 12th team league.

The teams last met at Leigh Sports Village on December 1 with United running out 3-2 winners thanks to a winner in the last minute of normal time.

Liverpool U21 coach Michael Beale

Of the United team that night several have gone on to play first team football for Louis Van Gaal this year including right back Guillermo Varela, left back Cameron Borthwick-Jackson and winger Joe Riley, with Marouane Felliani of course featuring regularly.

Of the Liverpool team, Brad Smith played a half as he made his comeback from contract dispute, Jordan Rossiter got an hour in recovery from his hamstring problem and the likes of Cameron Brannagan, Pedro Chirivella and Jerome Sinclair have all made first team appearances, as well as the more established Jose Enrique.

Liverpool warm up for the United clash on Friday with a trip to face Middlesbrough tonight, a game which wil lbe shown live on LFCTV.

Michael Beale will be hoping to see considerable improvement from the 2-0 defeat to Sunderland in their last outing, when a strong Reds team on paper miserably failed to perform.

Divock Origi of Liverpool has his shirt pulled by George Brady of Sunderland as he heads towards the Sunderland goal during the Liverpool v Sunderland Barclays U21 Premier League game at the Lookers Vauxhall Stadium on February 21, 2016 in Chester, England. (Photo by Nick Taylor/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

Middlesbrough are second bottom of the table but have games in hand to rise up the table.

The match will be played at Hartlepool United’s Victoria Park ground with kick-off at 7pm tonight.

Liverpool's semi-final of the Premier League Cup has also been scheduled.

The U21s will take on West Ham United at the Rush Green Stadium in Essex, which is home to the Hammers Academy, next Wednesday night (March 16) at 7pm.

The tie has to be decided on the night with extra-time and penalties if necessary.